US authorities have withdrawn a popular children's food product from the market after discovering lead contamination, raising concerns about its toxic effects on children's health and a possible link to autism spectrum disorder.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recall of GreenWise Pear & Kiwi and Spinach & Pea 4-ounce baby food products, commonly sold at Publix stores. The product has been given a Class II recall, which is used when exposure to the product may cause temporary or treatable health symptoms but does not pose an immediate threat to life.
According to the administration, the product was distributed in more than 1,400 grocery stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, and Kentucky. The product carries a "best before November 1, 2025" expiration date.
To date, no cases of illness resulting from consumption of the product have been recorded.
Publix noted that 53,620 units of the product with the same expiration date have been distributed to affected stores.
Maria Bruce, the company's communications director, confirmed that all questionable units have been removed from shelves, and that consumers will receive a full refund upon return of the product.
Routine tests conducted by the federal agency revealed elevated levels of lead contamination, though the precise amount was not determined. Children under the age of six are most vulnerable, as their bodies readily absorb lead, which can accumulate and cause poisoning.
Long-term exposure to lead causes serious harm, most notably delayed development, reduced IQ, behavioral disorders, and damage to vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, and nervous system. Multiple studies also link lead exposure to an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder.
According to a review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, lead is one of the metals most likely to cause neurological impairment. Research has shown that children exposed to lead are at greater risk of developing autism or similar disorders.
Lead enters children's food through contaminated soil or equipment used in manufacturing and processing, such as tanks or spice tubes. Symptoms of poisoning include loss of appetite, irritability, fatigue, constipation, and joint and muscle pain.
Poisoning can be detected with a simple blood test and is usually treated by supplementing the body with nutrients such as calcium, iron, and vitamin C, which help reduce lead absorption.
